Black Friday season is well underway, with many retailers holding sales events throughout November and beyond. It means now is a great time to pick up a new tablet, whether you’re looking for portable productivity or just a great entertainment device.
An iPad is the obvious option, with regular, Mini, Air and Pro models to choose from. But Android tablets are having a renaissance in 2021, with excellent options from the likes of Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi. It’s also worth considering Microsoft’s Surface range, with the Pro and Go lines both offering 2-in-1 functionality.
When is Black Friday 2021?
Black Friday will take place on 26 November this year, closely followed by Cyber Monday on 29 November. Some deals will only be around for a day and others extend across the weekend, but many more have already begun.
When do Black Friday tablet deals begin?
Black Friday season seems to be getting earlier and earlier each year. The most common time for laptop deals remains the week leading up to the big day, so it’s worth shopping around from Friday 20 November.
However, early Black Friday deals have become a big thing in recent years, with companies keen to promote their offers ahead of the rush. Many retailers now use the entire month of November as an opportunity to slash prices. Indeed, if you’re looking for deals on specific tablets, we’d encourage you to start checking now.
Are Black Friday tablet deals real?
Over the past few years, people have become a bit less trusting of Black Friday deals – which is understandable. Some deals are better than others and it’s not always clear which is which.
A few months after going on sale, many products drop in price whether there’s a sales event taking place or not. It’s why you can now get up to £450 off the Surface Pro 7 at the Microsoft Store, even though its successor has only just launched.
However, some brands and retailers bump prices back up to the RRP shortly before Black Friday. Then, when the new price is announced, it looks like even more of a saving. There’s a chance it’ll still be a great deal, just not to the same extent as the website is making out.
Nonetheless, a slew of new tablets in 2021 means older models are ripe for Black Friday discounts. Apple devices continue to be supported by software updates for several years, so there’s no risk to buying an older iPad if you’re satisfied with the hardware.
You can feel even more confident when opting for a Microsoft Surface tablet. Almost every recent device is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11, which itself will get major annual updates. Even the original Surface Go, the only notable exception, you’ll be able to run Windows 10 without issue until support ends in October 2025.
The situation on Android is slightly more tricky, with some manufacturers still only offering two years of software updates. It’s worth checking with the company you’re considering buying from, although security updates mean a device is often still usable for several years following launch.
How to shop for Black Friday tablet deals
It’s a good idea to decide in advance what tech you’re shopping for and then be open to the best deals when Black Friday gets underway.
For example, if you’re interested in buying a new iPad, have a budget in mind and a feature set that you really want. This way, when a deal comes up, you can quickly check if it’s right for you and jump on it before it sells out.
If you’re looking for a product from a specific brand, you’ll probably have a good sense of what its regular price is. Then decide on what you’ll be willing to pay. Is it worth buying at 10% off? Are you holding out for 25%? Deals could begin as early as the start of November, so begin checking then.
Also look out from curated lists of the best Black Friday deals from specialists. Serious bargain hunters can also sign up to newsletters and download apps from their favourite retailers to get real-time sales alerts.
Where to find the best Black Friday tablet deals
Talking of retailers, there are plenty of candidates when it comes to tablet deals in the UK. The key ones to look out for include Amazon, Currys, Argos, AO and John Lewis. It’s also worth checking the likes of Newegg, Gearbest and eBay.
In the US, check out Best Buy, Target, Walmart and B&H Photo Video.
Sometimes retailers don’t display the RRP, so check the manufacturer’s site or other coverage from launch if you’re unsure. But going direct is also a good option – sometimes prices from the likes of Microsoft, Samsung and Huawei are cheaper than via third-party retailers.
There are also several tools you can use, both to find great deals and discover how good the new price really is.
First up is HotUKDeals, where you can create a range of specific alerts for products you’re interested in. Don’t worry, you’ll only be notified when deals are getting a lot of attention.
If you’re shopping on Amazon, CamelCamelCamel is a great tool. Typing any Amazon product or URL into the search bar will give you an overview of how much the price has changed over the past year or so. It also tells you when and how much its lowest price was – if that’s significantly less than now, it might be worth holding off.
PriceSpy is also an effective way to find a great deal. It compares deals from all the major retailers, so you know you’re getting the best price. What’s marketed as a Black Friday deal on one site may turn out to be cheaper on another.
Best Early Black Friday tablet deals
Several retailers have already launched their Black Friday sales, so it’s worth keeping an eye on deals throughout the month. Here are the best tablet deals available right now in the UK:
Top 10 Tablet Deals
Apple 12.9in iPad Pro (2020, 1TB)
Nab a not-insignificant reduction on the top 1TB storage version of the iPad Pro 12.9in from 2020. This isn’t a Prime-only deal, so all Amazon customers can buy it, we just don’t know how long it’ll be available at this price.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 (i5, 8GB, 128GB)
The Surface Pro 8 has been frequently discounted since launching, but this excellent deal might not be around for long. Just be aware, you’ll still need to buy the keyboard cover separately.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro (128GB) w/ keyboard + stylus
Lenovo’s Tab P11 Pro is a promising multimedia slate with a premium design and a stunning display. This model comes complete with both the Keyboard Pack and Precision Pen to expand its capabilities. Check out our Tab P11 Pro review to see how we found the whole kit and to decide whether this discounted Amazon price is right for you.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
The budget Galaxy Tab A8 just got even cheaper! It boasts a great display, impressive speakers and great battery life, none of which are guaranteed at this price.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (i5, 8GB, 256GB)
The i5 Surface Pro 7 with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD is available with a big discount at Amazon, and it remains a great device in 2022. However, the Type Cover isn’t included.
Microsoft Surface Go 2 (Core M3, 8GB RAM, 128GB, Cellular)
If you don’t mind slightly older hardware, the Surface Go 2 remains a great portable PC. The top-spec model with 4G connectivity is currently available with a useful £144 discount, but you can also save £120 on the WiFi-only version. Keyboard covers are still sold separately, though.
Amazon Fire HD 10 (64GB, no ads) + keyboard + MS365
This productivity bundle deal from Amazon includes a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal and a detachable Bluetooth keyboard, paired with the company’s own ad-free 2021 Fire HD 10 tablet.
Apple 10.2in iPad (2021)
This 64GB model of the latest regular iPad is available with a modest discount at Amazon, but that’s actually the lowest price it’s ever been.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (128GB, cellular)
This 4G model of the Tab S7 is a powerhouse, delivering flagship performance via a stunning display. It’s available with a useful discount right now, too.
Apple 11-inch iPad Pro (M1, 2021, 128GB)
Amazon has $49 off the latest M1 iPad Pro. It’s backed by Amazon’s 90-day guarantee. There’s also $102 off the 256GB option. Also give Back Market a look: it may be even cheaper.
If you’re based in the US, check out the following:
Top 10 Tablet Deals (US)
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 (i5, 8GB, 512GB)
Knock $270 off the latest Surface Pro 8 in this new deal, direct from Microsoft. Running on 11th-gen Intel silicon, the Surface Pro 8 offers up a full Windows 11 experience in a powerful but compact form factor.
Apple 12.9in iPad Pro (2021, 2TB, renewed)
Apple’s first iPad Pro to sport its dedicated M1 chipset. This renewed 12.9in model is available with a sizeable $260 off on Amazon.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE (256GB)
2021’s Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE, with 256GB storage and an included S Pen stylus, can currently be snapped up with an $85 discount, in this excellent Amazon deal.
Apple 11in iPad Pro (2021, 128GB)
This is a great deal on Apple’s latest 11in premium slate. A saving of over $50 on the usual asking price brings this 11in WiFi-only model, with 128GB of storage, under $750.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ (128GB)
The Mystic Navy model of Samsung’s 128GB flagship 2020 tablet is now available with a significant discount on Amazon.
Apple iPad 10.2in (2019, 32GB, renewed)
Make a sizeable saving on 2019’s still-great 10.2in iPad (32GB) via Amazon right now. This renewed model has been certified by Amazon to be in excellent condition and drops even lower than its previous discounted price.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (32GB)
The small but mighty 8.7in Galaxy Tab A7 Lite comes with a useful saving on its RRP right now at Amazon.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
The impressive Tab 8 is only a few months old, but there are already some decent deals. Amazon’s useful discount drops the price under $200.
Apple 10.2in iPad (2021, 256GB, Wi-Fi)
Save $50 on the latest regular iPad. It’s a great affordable slate that’s perfect for web browsing or video calls.
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Author: Anyron Copeman, Senior Staff Writer
As the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyron’s main focus is PCs and laptops. Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices.